How to Correct a Slice in a Golf Swing

That massive, banana-shaped slice that sends your ball into the trees on the right is one of the most soul-crushing shots in golf, but here's the good news: it's also one of the most fixable. That frustrating curve isn't some random curse, it has specific, mechanical causes. This guide will walk you through exactly what causes a slice and provide step-by-step instructions and simple drills to straighten out your ball flight for good.

First, Let's Understand the Slice

Before we can fix the problem, we need to know what we're fighting. A slice for a right-handed golfer is caused by an unwanted combination of two main factors: an open clubface at impact and a swing path that moves from out-to-in.

• Open Clubface: Think of this as the primary cause of the spin. When the face of your club is pointing to the right of your swing path as it strikes the ball, it imparts sidespin that makes the ball curve hard to the right.
• Out-to-In Swing Path: This is the classic "over the top" move. Instead of the club approaching the ball from the inside and moving out toward the target, it comes from outside the target line and cuts across the ball towards your body. This path often exaggerates the slice started by the open clubface.

Most slicers have both issues, creating that weak, high, rightward shot that robs you of distance and confidence. The fixes below are ordered from easiest to implement to more involved, so you can build on your progress step-by-step.

Fix #1: Get Your Grip Right (The Club's Steering Wheel)

Your grip is your only connection to the club, and it has the single biggest influence on the clubface. Most amateurs who slice have a "weak" grip, which means their hands are rotated too far to the left (for a righty). This position makes it very easy for the clubface to open up during the swing.

We're going to neutralize this by adopting a slightly "stronger" grip. Don't worry, "stronger" doesn't mean you need to squeeze it harder, it refers to the rotational position of your hands.

How to Build a Slice-Fixing Grip:

1. Left Hand (Top Hand): Place your left hand on the club so you can clearly see the knuckles of your index and middle fingers when you look down. This is the firstCheckpoint. The 'V' formed by your thumb and index finger should point somewhere between your right ear and right shoulder. A common weak grip has this 'V' pointing at your chin.
2. Right Hand (Bottom Hand): Now, place your right hand on the club. The goal here is to cover your left thumb with the palm of your right hand. The 'V' on your right hand should point roughly in the same direction as the 'V' on your left hand - toward your right shoulder. It should feel like your right palm is facing the target more than the sky.

This will feel strange at first. Very strange. If you've been slicing for years, your old grip will feel "normal" and this new one will feel like you're going to hook the ball off the planet. Trust the change. Hold a club with this grip for a few minutes every day while watching TV to help your hands get accustomed to the new position.

Fix #2: Check Your Setup and Alignment

Here's a common trap many slicers fall into: they know the ball is going to slice right, so they compensate by aiming their entire body far to the left. It seems logical, but it just makes the problem worse. By aiming your body left, you almost force yourself to swing "over the top" and across the ball to get it back towards the target, exaggerating your out-to-in path.

We need to break this cycle by aligning correctly.

The Railroad Track Method:

Imagine a set of railroad tracks heading toward your target.

• The Outer Rail: This track is the ball-to-target line. Your clubface should be aimed squarely down this line.
• The Inner Rail: This is the track your body is on. Your feet, hips, and shoulders need to be parallel to the ball-to-target line, not aimed at the target itself.

A quick-and-easy way to check this on the range is to set two alignment sticks (or spare clubs) on the ground to form these tracks. Get used to the feeling of your body being aimed parallel-left of your target, not directly at it. This neutral setup gives your new, stronger grip a chance to work.

Fix #3: Change Your Swing Path from Out-to-In

Okay, this is the big one. Correcting the "over-the-top" swing path will feel like a major change, but it’s where you’ll find consistency and power. The goal is to get the club approaching the ball from the inside and swinging out toward the target - an in-to-out path. This promotes a draw (a slight right-to-left curve), the natural opposite of a slice.

Here are two simple drills to help you feel the correct path.

Drill 1: The Headcover Blocker

This drill provides immediate, clear feedback if you come over the top.

1. Take your driver or fairway wood headcover and place it on the ground about a foot outside of your golf ball and slightly behind it.
2. Set up to the ball as you normally would.
3. Your only goal is to hit the ball without hitting the headcover on your downswing.

If you make your usual out-to-in slice swing, you will hit the headcover every time. To miss it, you have no choice but to drop the club to the inside on the downswing. Start with small, slow swings to get the feel, then gradually increase speed. It retrains your brain and body to find a new pathway to the ball.

Drill 2: Right Elbow Tucked

The "over-the-top" move is often launched by your right shoulder and arm throwing the club outward at the start of the downswing. The key to preventing this is to keep your right elbow tucked closer to your body as you start down.

1. Take your setup. Place a glove or a small towel under your right armpit.
2. Make some half-swings, keeping the towel pinned under your arm throughout the backswing and into the start of the downswing. It should fall out naturally after impact.
3. Focus on feeling your lower body start the downswing, letting your arms and the club simply "drop" down behind you before rotating through.

This drill stops your arms from disconnecting from your body rotation. It encourages you to use your body as the engine, leading to a more on-plane swing that approaches the ball from the inside.

Fix #4: Use Your Body to Lead the Way

An arms-dominated swing is often a slicing swing. When you lead with your upper body from the top, you throw the club out and across the line. The solution is to let your lower body kick off the downswing sequence.

As you finish your backswing, your first move should be a slight shift of pressure into your front foot. Feel your front hip begin to turn and clear out of the way. This sequencing creates the space for your arms and the club to drop down into that coveted "inside" position we talked about. This is less of a drill and more of a feeling to find. When you start your downswing with your core and hips rather than your arms, you're on the right track to a powerful, straight shot.

Final Thoughts

Fixing a slice comes down to neutralizing your clubface with a better grip and retraining your swing to come from the inside, not over the top. Start with your grip and alignment, and then use simple drills to feel a new path. Be patient - it takes repetition to overwrite old habits, but the payoff of watching your ball fly straight is more than worth it.

As you work on these changes and try to feel the new movements, getting personalized feedback is invaluable. With a tool like Caddie AI, you can get instant answers to specific questions about your swing, anytime you want. I am designed to be you on-demand golf expert, available 24/7 to help you understand tricky situations or get smart strategy on the course, removing the guesswork so you can play with more confidence and enjoyment.